Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wondering what the best wood that others in this forum have used tobuild cages. I am hoping to find something that will not warp(very much)and will last some time.

Thanks,
Stan

I use birch or oak plywood. Both cost about the same, finish nicely, and will last a good long time.
Any more questions...feel free to post in the Caging forum.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I have done that. Unfortunately people prefer to ask questions that are irrelevant to the question that you ask, and never get around to answering your question.

Thanks again,
Stan

Yep! Birch or oak plywood. I usually only use this wood in areas where it will be seen. For flooring I'll use a less expensive plywood as I cover my floors with linoleum anyway. Birch is a lighter color wood and oak looks more like real wood. Granted it is but you get the point. I also like the way oak looks when finished. Lots of grain pattern.
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

Thanks,

Also, what type of finish can I use on the wood that would be safe for my animals? I am tired of buying my cages and they cost an outrageous amount of money (and dont look that spectacular). I would like to make a nice looking cage, that will last a LONG time.
After my Burm outgrows that one and I build her, her final cage, I can use this one for another animal as it's final cage of some sort (kinda keep the cycle going).

Thanks for the tips!!
Stan

I use a latex exterior semigloss paint. I paint all my cages the same way. 2 base coats of a white primer, then another base coat of dark green, then I use a textured roller with lighter green for a forest look. The only problem is I spend allot of money. I didn't realize it until I added everything up. Here's the message from a post I did in the thread just above this one.

I just finished making a 48X18X18 inch cage for my ball pythons. Everything included, wood, glass, hinges, RHP, humidifier, lights etc. the darn thing cost me $338. Building your own was supposed to be less! Granted you won't find anything like it in the stores. It looks more like furniture or a china cabinet but still way to expensive. I will say it should provide perfect everything for it's tenants and easy to maintain.

The RHP is 1/3 of the cost. You could use lamps or CHE but since I started using them, RHP are far better than anything else hands down. The don't take up any floor or side space. They don't require a hole in the top so they install nice and clean looking. If I remember I'll start another thread with some pics. At the suggestion of Bob from Pro Products I mount the panel from the ceiling. I use 2 wood strips about 1 inch thick as a spacer so the panel is not directly mounted to the ceiling. Then I staple in some of the silver sided bubble wrap insulation to the ceiling directly above where the panel is mounted. This SHOULD keep the top from getting to hot and deflect the heat back downward or outward or something. If nothing else, it makes me feel like I did the right thing. I'm done blabbing!
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell